Souhaits D'Anniversaire

I celebrated a milestone yesterday...my 23rd birthday! Thank you for all of your birthday wishes and kind words. I had a wonderful day spent with friends and family, enjoying lots of great food and then spending the night watching movies while eating cake. Mum made me a chocolate cake (my favourite), served it with vanilla ice cream and topped the whole thing with homemade strawberry sauce....delicious! I think you've come up with something, mum!

I came home to find white roses and pink tulips and lots of presents waiting for me!

You all know how much I love to cook and bake, and so I was thrilled to get a Cuisinart microplane, silicone brushes, whisk, and spatulas, lots of chocolate, jewellery, and "125 Best Chocolate Recipes" and "Another Cup of Sugar" cookbooks!

The next few weeks will be spent baking lots of delicious recipes....I can't wait!

Collant, Caoutchouteux, Malpropre, Gluant

Rich Risotto Rice Pudding
Caramel Corn, Cheesecake Lollipops, Ice Cream Sandwiches!

Quicky Sticky Biscuits!

Collant, Caoutchouteux, Malpropre, Gluant.....translation: Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey...My new favourite cookbook by Jill O'Connor. If I didn't know any better, I would think this book had been written with me in mind!

If you are someone with a serious sweet tooth, and appreciate the family stories that lie behind recipes, then this is the cookbook for you. It is filled with delicious desserts and gorgeous photographs. And, since my birthday is just around the corner, I figured I would treat myself and splurge a little!

So far, as difficult as it has been to narrow the recipes down to my favourites, the Rich Risotto Rice Pudding is on my list to make this weekend! This dessert represents true comfort food for me. With the richness from the arborio rice and the slight sweetness from the fresh vanilla bean, cinnamon and nutmeg, this dessert is divine!

And, if it's at all possible, I think it might be even better with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce!

Boîte De Cigare De Cru

After months of having this vintage cigar box sitting on my bookshelf, I decided it was time to dress it up a bit! My co-worker's birthday is just around the corner, so I was inspired to take her two favourite colours - blue and pink - and create a beautiful gift for her using some tissue paper and a little creativity. I went through all the cupboards, drawers and shelves in our craft room, and came across a few things I think she will fall in love with...antique music sheets, a Christmas coupon (from the '60's, which I found in an old book), some vintage lace, a rhinestone butterfly pin, an old postcard from England, a few initial blocks and a homemade gift tag using an image from Paper Relics, my new favourite website!

I hope she loves it!

Art de boîte d'ombre

I began working on this chic little shadow box before Christmas, and have finally gotten around to finishing it. All it took was some Martha Stewart paper...the pink flowery design is my favourite...some scrabble tiles, a little vintage lace, an antique button and a gorgeous carved hand. The one displayed I found at the bottom of a box at a garage sale this past summer and has been sitting on a shelf in our art room just waiting to be used in a project.

I have a few more I'd like to finish in the same colour palette, and then sell them as a set...I really should get around to starting that Etsy shop!

Have a wonderful weekend!